"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
She was just five years old.
A slightly moody day.
She couldn't stay away, from that rivers edge and I.
I turn my back to count.
All the daffodil seas that surrounded.
I close my eyes, and then heard the water wake up.
And I, I can still hear that scream, It's still lingering, in the air, everywhere.
"Mother, please save me, grab my hand" (I can't I can't)
I can still see that face, sink beneath the waves. Baby please, breath for me, give me time I am here.
Where did you go?
Where'd you go?
Where'd you go?
Hey, where'd you go?
Were the angels that lonely?
Couldn't they suffice for anybody else?
Can't everybody just lie to me.
She's home, she's home. Crying for me now.
Every night on a Monday, I will visit the same spot that I hate.
Yes the place that baby loved, and now she can taste it, oh it took her away.
It's been five years since then.
And when it hits September..
I'll feel like I'm dying again.
Ian still won't even talk to me, talk to me!
Isn't this pain, guilt enough?
I can't even look out the window, without seeing reflections distorted in the sun.
(Repeat: And I can still hear that scream...)
And the pain hits me like gunshot.
And I'm heading on the way to the floor, I hear her name and it kills me.
Oh, Bottles up, Bottles up, Bottles up.
And I'm trying my best to hurt me.
Ian says it's never enough.
A razor to the wrist for each unshed tear, cough it up, drink it up, drink it up.
So I had a coma, when I crashed my car in the lake.
I saw your face down there I knew, it was not a mistake.
So I went to the doctor. I told him, oh my heart will break, If I couldn't see you. He just, gave me more pills.
But, I saw you up there.
Still floating by the river.
God, you always loved that river.
I bet your heaven looks just like it.
Then I'll like it too, even though it scares me now.
But when I'm with you.
I'll be just fine, I'll be just fine.
We can sit, we can talk about, talk about...Butterflies. Butterflies. Butterflies.
A slightly moody day.
She couldn't stay away, from that rivers edge and I.
I turn my back to count.
All the daffodil seas that surrounded.
I close my eyes, and then heard the water wake up.
And I, I can still hear that scream, It's still lingering, in the air, everywhere.
"Mother, please save me, grab my hand" (I can't I can't)
I can still see that face, sink beneath the waves. Baby please, breath for me, give me time I am here.
Where did you go?
Where'd you go?
Where'd you go?
Hey, where'd you go?
Were the angels that lonely?
Couldn't they suffice for anybody else?
Can't everybody just lie to me.
She's home, she's home. Crying for me now.
Every night on a Monday, I will visit the same spot that I hate.
Yes the place that baby loved, and now she can taste it, oh it took her away.
It's been five years since then.
And when it hits September..
I'll feel like I'm dying again.
Ian still won't even talk to me, talk to me!
Isn't this pain, guilt enough?
I can't even look out the window, without seeing reflections distorted in the sun.
(Repeat: And I can still hear that scream...)
And the pain hits me like gunshot.
And I'm heading on the way to the floor, I hear her name and it kills me.
Oh, Bottles up, Bottles up, Bottles up.
And I'm trying my best to hurt me.
Ian says it's never enough.
A razor to the wrist for each unshed tear, cough it up, drink it up, drink it up.
So I had a coma, when I crashed my car in the lake.
I saw your face down there I knew, it was not a mistake.
So I went to the doctor. I told him, oh my heart will break, If I couldn't see you. He just, gave me more pills.
But, I saw you up there.
Still floating by the river.
God, you always loved that river.
I bet your heaven looks just like it.
Then I'll like it too, even though it scares me now.
But when I'm with you.
I'll be just fine, I'll be just fine.
We can sit, we can talk about, talk about...Butterflies. Butterflies. Butterflies.
Lyrics submitted by frankieatthedisco
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
all the above stuff ^ is pertaining to the song. not her real life. just to let you know. haha.